29th March 2023 - Today the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution seeking an advisory opinion on climate change and human rights from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

This is an historic win for the nations of the global South, which have not contributed substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, yet bear the brunt of climate impacts. The adoption was also an acknowledgment by the Global north that climate ambition and multilateral climate cooperation can be strengthened.

Alex Rafalowicz, Executive Director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “Today's vote is a testament to the Pacific's essential leadership in spurring international climate action. We welcome Vanuatu in championing the inspiring push for an advisory opinion and who were also the first nation-state to formally call for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. As the world is at a critical crossroads with a shrinking window to act, there is an undeniable role for the international courts to embolden the fight for climate justice and human rights as yet another tool to expose a fossil fuel industry that profits from systems of injustice and delays a clean energy future for all.”

Today’s win is a significant diplomatic moment for Vanuatu and Pacific Island nations whose leadership has been, is, and will be essential to a global approach that delivers climate justice not least this month’s Pacific pledge, ‘Port Vila call‘ to phase out of fossil fuels and the need for a global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.